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Senior research coordinator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior research coordinator. Senior research coordinators usually study psychology, biology, or nursing. 64% of senior research coordinators hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 638 real senior research coordinator resumes to see exactly what senior research coordinator education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior research coordinators are the University of Houston and the University of Houston.

There are also many online senior research coordinator courses to help get the education required to be a senior research coordinator.

There are certain senior research coordinator certifications that you should consider. These senior research coordinator certifications include Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) and Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP).

What education do you need to become a senior research coordinator?

What degree do you need to be a senior research coordinator?

The most common degree for senior research coordinators is bachelor's degree, with 64% of senior research coordinators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 64%
  • Master's, 21%
  • Doctorate, 6%
  • Associate, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a senior research coordinator?

You should major in psychology to become a senior research coordinator. 23% of senior research coordinators major in psychology. Other common majors for a senior research coordinator include biology and nursing.

Most common colleges for senior research coordinators

Senior research coordinators often get their degrees at University of Houston, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University. Here are the most common colleges for senior research coordinators in the US based on their resumes.
Senior research coordinator common collegePercentages
University of Houston9.78%
University of Pennsylvania7.61%
Johns Hopkins University7.61%
New York University6.52%
Temple University5.43%

Best majors for senior research coordinators

RankMajorPercentages
1Psychology22.8%
2Biology15.4%
3Nursing10.1%
4Business8.1%
5Public Health5.0%

Best colleges for senior research coordinators

The best colleges for senior research coordinators are Northwestern University, Duke University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A senior research coordinator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior research coordinators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become senior research coordinators.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

20 best online courses for senior research coordinators

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1. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics

coursera

If you’ve ever skipped over the results section of a medical paper because terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value” go over your head, then you’re in the right place. You may be a clinical practitioner reading research articles to keep up-to-date with developments in your field or a medical student wondering how to approach your own research. Greater confidence in understanding statistical analysis and the results can benefit both working professionals and those undertaking research...

2. Clinical Trials Data Management and Quality Assurance

coursera

In this course, you’ll learn to collect and care for the data gathered during your trial and how to prevent mistakes and errors through quality assurance practices. Clinical trials generate an enormous amount of data, so you and your team must plan carefully by choosing the right collection instruments, systems, and measures to protect the integrity of your trial data. You’ll learn how to assemble, clean, and de-identify your datasets. Finally, you’ll learn to find and correct deficiencies...

3. Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research Professionals

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4.5
(537)

The Complete, Certified ICH GCP (R2 & R3) Course for Investigators, Study Coordinators, Sponsors, Monitors and Study staff...

4. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research

udemy
4.5
(650)

The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...

5. How to Visualize Research Data in Tableau

coursera

Publishing research often requires the preparation of visual elements like charts, tables, and graphs to better explain the text in a research report. Creating these elements can be done easily and effectively in Tableau. Using Tableau, large and small data sets can be visualized with precision, creativity, interactivity, and options in Tableau. After taking this course learners will know how to create a table, a geovisualization, and a pie chart. Three of the most common research...

6. Market Research

coursera

The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...

7. Certificate Course in Clinical Research (CCCR)

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4
(302)

A Clinical Research Course-ICH-GCP E6(R2), Clinical Trials, Essential Documents, Sponsor, Investigator, Pharmaceuticals...

8. The Simplest Guide to Clinical Trials Data Analysis with SAS

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4.4
(1,044)

Step into the world of Pharmaceutical industry Clinical Trials Clinical Research Biostatistics Clinical SAS SAS...

9. Psychological Research

coursera

This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...

10. Qualitative Research

coursera

In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...

11. Good Clinical Practice ICH GCP for Clinical Research

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4.5
(710)

Certification on ICH GCP E6 R2 Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research The Only Complete Course You Can Find Online...

12. Basic of Clinical Data Management

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4.5
(341)

Clinical Data Management...

13. Clinical Research for beginners

udemy
4.2
(462)

The Art of Publishing - Master Pub Med, Study design, Biostatistics, Journal choice, Manuscript writing & Referencing...

14. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint

udemy
4.6
(857)

Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...

15. Research Methodology

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4.5
(621)

Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...

16. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course

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4.4
(452)

Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...

17. Global Marketing Research and Analytics

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4.3
(375)

Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...

18. Market Research: A-Z Fundamentals with Case Studies

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4.5
(379)

Learn Market Sizing & Forecasting, Survey Design, Customer & Competitor Analysis to become a PRO Market Research Analyst...

19. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

udemy
4
(449)

Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...

20. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced

udemy
4.1
(621)

Master Qualitative Research Method, Content Analysis, Grounded Theory, Thematic Analysis and more with MAXQDA Analytics...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior research coordinators

The most affordable schools for senior research coordinators are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and university of florida.

If the best universities for senior research coordinators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for senior research coordinators.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior research coordinators

The hardest universities for senior research coordinators to get into are Northwestern University, Duke University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for senior research coordinators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for senior research coordinators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior research coordinators

The easiest schools for senior research coordinators to get into are D'Youville College, curry college, and felician university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior research coordinator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for senior research coordinators.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

3. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

4. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

7. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

8. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

9. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average senior research coordinator salary by education level

Senior research coordinators with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $86,415 annually. With a Master's degree, senior research coordinators earn a median annual income of $80,807 compared to $72,105 for senior research coordinators with an Bachelor's degree.
Senior research coordinator education levelSenior research coordinator salary
Master's Degree$80,807
High School Diploma or Less$57,202
Bachelor's Degree$72,105
Doctorate Degree$86,415
Some College/ Associate Degree$60,248

Senior research coordinator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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